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Half-Life 3 – if there will ever be one – will not be a virtual reality game, a Valve employee has confirmed.
There is hardly anyone at Valve who speaks about Half-Life 3 in any capacity, but Chet Faliszek who is a video game writer and Valve employee was recently at EGX to speak about virtual reality. During a question and answer session; Faliszek was asked whether Half-Life 3 will be a virtual reality game or not. In response, he simply said, “no”.
He was again asked the same question which he took as a jape, but again went with “I said ‘no'” response.
There is hardly anyone who knows the current state of the game, whether it is in development or not, and whether it will ever be developed or not; but over-optimistic people will surely come up with, “hey, at least he didn’t deny his existence.” Well, sure bro!
May be Valve should listen to people at Naughty Dog and hand them over the license to Half-Life since they badly want to work on the game and put an end to the entire Half-Life 3 fiasco once and for all! To read up more, head over to the post!
Have anything interesting to add to the story? Let us know in the comments section below!


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With the release of any new Apple product often comes the inevitable influx of complaints about hardware hiccups or software shortcomings — prompting the company to provide users with a do-it-yourself solution, or, in the case of the latter, a subsequent firmware update to address the issue.
And, as we’ve seen before, even the company’s new and highly acclaimed wearable, the Apple Watch, is susceptible to the same types of issues. This time around, as reports have continued to surface of a quote unquote, “sticky digital crown” — coined as such because the primary input method,the devices’ Digital Crown, becomes “stuck’. Because of this, the company is offering up a somewhat unorthodox, but viable fix.
As several users on Apple’s own support forums have reported in recent months, there appears to be an issue with some Digital Crowns getting “stuck” when they try to twist it as they normally would. Some say that the Digital Crown persists to feel stuck even after great force is applied to boot.
For example, one such user states, “I’m experiencing light stickiness every time I go to turn the crown, but it smoothens out shortly after. And this repeats itself after the crown isn’t touched for a few seconds. It wasn’t like this on day one. Mine doesn’t take considerable pressure to turn though, you just feel that it’s sticky at first as if there was a bit too much friction.”
While some users have speculated about how and why the issue has manifested in the first place — for example, as there result of sweat getting caught in the hardware during exercise — some users have reported the same issue materializing even without having ever used their Apple Watch at the gym.
The good news, however, (as strange as it may seem), is that Apple has released an updated version of the Apple Watch support document, wherein the company suggests that a quick rinse of the device with water could potentially solve the issue. According to the company, if the Digital Crown gets stuck and won’t move, it could possibly mean that dust or debris has accumulated underneath, and that, by rinsing the device under fresh water for 10 to 15 seconds, the issue could (potentially) be rectified.
If you find substances like dust or lotion around the Digital Crown, follow these steps to clean, and repeat as needed.
1. Turn off your Apple Watch and remove it from the charger.
2. If you have a leather band, remove it from your Apple Watch.
3. Hold the Digital Crown under lightly running, warm, fresh water from a faucet for 10 to 15 seconds. Soaps and other cleaning products shouldn’t be used.
4. Continuously turn and press the Digital Crown as water runs over the small gap between the crown and the housing.
5. Dry your Apple Watch with a non-abrasive, lint-free cleaning cloth.”
So far, the results have been mixed, however — with some users reporting success, some reporting dissatisfaction with having to rinse their Apple Watch, and others reporting that the issue persists even after a rinse — Apple has nevertheless been cooperative and helpful.
If the issue persists after a quick rinse, according to the company, the device should be taken into your nearest Apple store, at which point either a replacement will be issued or a repair will be made — with wait times for either scenario estimated at up to one week.
Have you experienced trouble with your Apple Watch’s Digital Crown? Has the suggested “quick rinse” solution provided any relief?

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John Hagel wrote a good post back in March on the future of advertising, web2.0 monetisation and the trend towards free (thanks to Bart for the pointer). He picks up on a lot of themes we have discussed here and the full post is well worth a read. This bit really stood out for me though:
if entrepreneurs want to build enduring businesses that will change the world, resist the temptation to become too dependent on advertising. It’s OK to offer many products and services for free (in fact, that will be essential for success) but just be sure you understand your role in a broader ecosystem where someone (even if it is not directly you) is making a ton of money with platforms and services that people will pay for.
I am more bullish than John on the potential of advertising dollars to sustain at least part of the web2.0 ecosystem, although I think it will look different to today’s ads, but he is spot on with the notion that somebody had better be making money. If not there is nothing to filter down the value chain – simple as that.
Innovation in business models will also be necessary to make sure everyone gets compensated for the value they add. There was an article in the FT this week which noted that web2.0 has had a huge impact on behaviour, but has yet to generate much in revenues. If behaviour is changing then value is being created – we just have to figure out how to get it into the hands of the companies that are changing the behaviour.


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An advertisement paid for by the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities that appeared in this month’s UK edition of the National Geographic’s Traveler magazine has caused an uproar and led to the launch of an investigation by Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), the UK’s independent regulator of advertising across all media.
The ‘Travel Palestine’ advertisement reads: “Palestine is a land rich in history with a tradition of hospitality. From the famous cities of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jericho, Nablus and Gaza, the Palestinian people welcome you to visit this holy land.” It also states that “Palestine lies between the Mediterranean coast and Jordan River, at the crossroads between Africa and Middle East.” The ad never mentions Israel.
In a statement Monday, the Board of Deputies of British Jews called “upon the ASA to take immediate action to correct this advertisement’s dangerous distortion of the facts.” According to London lawyer Nigel Miller, “The ad breaches [advertising] code clause 7.1 in that it misleads by inaccuracy, ambiguity, exaggeration, omission or otherwise.”
In fact, on that basis, the ASA banned an Israeli tourism ad last year that displayed an image of the Western Wall with the Dome of the Rock in the background because, according to the agency, the ad was misleading as it implied that East Jerusalem, in which the Western Wall is located, is part of the state of Israel. That East Jerusalem is under full Israeli control was not enough for the ASA to allow the ad to run.
One can only hope that the British agency bans the Travel Palestine advertisement, as it is misleading on all levels. Not only does it erase Israel from the map, but it also implies that Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, and the other named cities are all located in a state called Palestine. Indeed, failing to rule the advertisement as misleading “would be inconsistent, discriminatory and biased,” as London barrister Jonathan Turner said.


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Shop verandas hit by campervans costing owners thousands
A banana shaped main road and the growing popularity of campervans are being blamed for costly damage to shop verandas in Motueka's main street. Claire Hutt, the coordinator Our Town Motueka the local business association - said the camber of High St, likened to a banana shape, meant that high sided motorhomes or caravans scraped up against the shop frontages, in some cases completely removing them. Jamie Sutherland, the owner of variety store Hi Motueka, has had the veranda of his shop hit four times over the summer, causing thousands of dollars of damage. After sustaining damage in November, Sutherland bought a new veranda sign, only to have it hit again a week after being installed. READ MORE: * Finally, a robot for the most hated domestic task of all - window cleaning * Government spending and taxes in sights of deputy National leader * Scientists find floods triggered by climate change pose a risk to native fish population There seems to be a lack of awareness of the size of the vehicle, he said. Sutherland said it seemed to be Kiwis causing the damage, but it was hard to say as most took off without acknowledging what they had done. He was frustrated about the behaviour, often witnessed by customers. I dont expect them to pay for it, but they could at least come in and say sorry. Another affected business owner is Murray Thorn, of Murray Thorn Motorcycles. Its terrible now, Thorn said, adding that it was not only campervans but also trucks that would whack straight into his signage. I've got a $10,000 sign that I repaired a few months ago and its knackered again, Thorn said. He had just spent $4000 on a new frontage but was reluctant to put it up in case of further incidents. He had been in the shop for more than 30 years and never had an issue, but said problems emerged after the redevelopment of the main street in the past two years. Some bright spark decided to put a massive big angle in the middle of the road and make it super tapered, and the trucks started hitting the shops, costing us money. It becomes our problem that we can't fix because no one wants to know about it. Larissa Balkhausen, the owner of Antonius European Bakery, said they now had a planter box in front of the building, but it used to be a regular problem. Sometimes campervan owners were very arrogant, she said. One woman complained that their sign was too low: like my sign drove into her campervan. Business owners had raised the issue with the community board, spoken to the local councillor, and corresponded with transport agency Waka Kotahi, but had yet to see any indications of change. Hutt said the problem had worsened in the past 12 months, as the numbers of caravans and campervans grew. The drivers did not intentionally cause damage, as they didnt intentionally want to damage their own vehicles, she said, but, nevertheless, repairs cost a couple of grand and took their toll on Motuekas appearance. It just makes the town look untidy when people's signage is all scratched or missing, Hutt said. In a statement, Waka Kotahi said they were aware of the issue raised by the local community board, and had been in touch with the council to get further details. Staff were conducting further investigations to determine the cause of the problem and if it was linked to the recent upgrade works, the statement said. Waka Kotahi also said they understood the matter would be considered by designers planning the Motueka Transport Choices Project, currently being undertaken by the Tasman District Council. Council spokesperson Chris Choat said the council was getting together with Waka Kotahi to identify if the environment was at fault.


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Premier ignores Cabinet directive, buys R1.3m car
North West Premier Thandi Modise reportedly ignored a directive against splurging on luxury vehicles.
JOHANNESBURG - North West Premier Thandi Modise has reportedly ignored a Cabinet directive against splurging on luxury vehicles and has treated herself to a R1.3 million rand BMW 750i.
But he has explained that no law was broken.
Elisha says the ministerial handbook states that a car to the value of 70 percent of a premier's salary can be purchased.
Last year Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan instructed ministers, MECs and premiers to halt extravagant spending on luxury cars.


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Apple and Amazon fire back at an explosive report linking them to a giant Chinese microchip hack: It's 'hard to count' the inaccuracies
- Apple and Amazon have issued unusually robust on-the-record statements, refuting a Bloomberg report that Chinese spies planted microchips in hardware from supplier Super Micro.
- "We are deeply disappointed that in their dealings with us, Bloomberg's reporters have not been open to the possibility that they or their sources might be wrong or misinformed," Apple said, in part.
- "As we shared with Bloomberg BusinessWeek multiple times over the last couple months, this is untrue," Amazon said, in part.
Apple and Amazon have strongly refuted a Bloomberg report linking them to a giant Chinese plot to hack into the databases of US companies using tiny microchips.
In unusually robust on the record statements, the two trillion dollar tech companies said they know nothing about Chinese spies planting rice grain-sized microchips in hardware that reached 30 major American companies.
According to Bloomberg, Apple discovered the malicious chips three years ago in hardware supplied by motherboard specialist Super Micro. But Apple pointed Business Insider to the statement it sent Bloomberg, which said it has "never found malicious chips, 'hardware manipulations' or vulnerabilities purposely planted in any server."
The full statement, which is available here, added that Apple always inspects its servers before they are put into production and if it found anything suspicious, it would have alerted the authorities.
"We are deeply disappointed that in their dealings with us, Bloomberg's reporters have not been open to the possibility that they or their sources might be wrong or misinformed," Apple said.
Amazon said in a statement that Bloomberg had made so many inaccurate claims, they're "hard to count."
Bloomberg reported that Amazon performed a "network-wide audit" after the company found the malicious chips in Super Micro hardware in its Beijing data center. Amazon says this never occurred, as modified hardware or malicious chips were never found in its servers. Bloomberg also reported that the modified hardware was found in systems operated by Elemental Media, a company Amazon acquired in 2015, which the company also refutes.
"As we shared with Bloomberg BusinessWeek multiple times over the last couple months, this is untrue," Amazon said in a statement, which you can read here. "At no time, past or present, have we ever found any issues relating to modified hardware or malicious chips in SuperMicro motherboards in any Elemental or Amazon systems."
Bloomberg ran its original story with informtion from 17 unnamed intelligence and company sources.
- Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath adds seven new ministers including Jitin Prasada ahead of polls
- Out of all cancer cases, 7.9% were found in children below 14 years, reveals ICMR report
- Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to roll out ₹7,270 crore support programme for 14 states
- New potential factor contributing to severity of COVID-19 identified
- Coastal Andhra on alert as 'Gulab' set to make landfall


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Retailers are gearing up for the second half of the year, with port delays largely behind them and back-to-school season about to start. Denim sales are starting to pick up, some merchants said, but retailers including Urban Outfitters, American Eagle, Aeropostale and Abercrombie & Fitch could see sales come later in the third quarter as teens wait to check out their peers' styles before making back-to-school purchases.
The most influential comedian in the world might just be "Jerry Seinfeld," the fictional comedian portrayed by real-life comedian Jerry Seinfeld on his TV show, writes Jesse David Fox. By following "Seinfeld" offstage, the show turned comedy into something more visceral, revealing and personal than it had been before. "The irony to all of this is Seinfeld's actual stand-up comedy is not particularly influential anymore," Fox writes.
Some schools in New Jersey and elsewhere have taken steps to eliminate the letter grade D, asserting that it has a negative effect on students and encourages students to "game the system." "[I]f Ds are markers of adequacy that everyone recognizes as inadequate, doling them out seems illogical and cynical," writer and teacher Andrew Simmons notes in this commentary.
JPMorgan Chase will offer users of its Chase Liquid prepaid card access to services such as online bill payment and person-to-person payment, according to a letter sent to Eric Schneiderman, the New York attorney general. The bank also has revised its criteria for new checking accounts, eliminating penalties for applicants who frequently made overdrafts if the overdraft activity didn't happen within the past two years. Schneiderman said the changes "will help expand access to low-cost financial services."
Wegmans said it is committed to opening its first urban location in Boston's Fenway neighborhood by 2018, anchoring a $500 million mixed-use development project that will also include additional retail space, apartments, offices and parking. The city's Redevelopment Authority approved 75,000 square feet of grocery space for the new Wegmans location.
A U.S. study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that only 288 people out of 2,694 adults with elevated A1C were aware of the problem. Researchers also found that adults who were aware of their condition were 30% more likely to exercise and engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, and almost 80% more likely to try losing weight and to have at least a 7% reduction in their body weight in the past year.
The Google Now voice command option on Android phones may soon be usable without an Internet connection. A code in the application's latest update suggests the "OK, Google" command could make calls, send text messages, toggle Wi-Fi connections and play music while offline.
Smartphone users go to Google most often when they're in search of information, but 45% turn first to Amazon when shopping on their mobile devices, according to a survey by Mizuho Securities. Shopping is eighth on the list of activities people are doing on their smartphones -- texting, e-mailing and searching are the top three, the survey found.
A hexagonal battery developed through LG's Free Form Battery program could boost battery life in future smartwatches by up to four hours, the company claims. "We are going to take the top position in the small-battery field in 2018," said Kwon Young Soo, president of LG Chem's battery business department.
The Treatment Action Group and Yale University's Global Health Justice Partnership filed a lawsuit against the FDA to speed up the disclosure of the clinical research information that backed up the approval of Gilead Sciences' hepatitis C drugs Sovaldi and Harvoni. In a complaint submitted to a federal court in New Haven, Conn., the groups said doctors and patients need more data to make decisions about using the drugs, which are costly and not always covered by insurance. The groups asked Gilead for the information and were ignored, and they were told by the FDA that a decision on whether to disclose the data could take up to two years.
Sprint issued a flurry of new marketing options Monday, including an $80 unlimited monthly "All-in" package that includes a $20 fee to lease a phone such as the iPhone 6. The carrier also announced the "Best Buy One Family Plan," which offers two lines of unlimited service for $100 a month. Separately, Sprint announced it is now offering its "Direct 2 You" smartphone home delivery service in four major cities: New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Denver, Colo.
The National Multimodal Freight Policy and Investment Act introduced by four Democratic senators would provide $12 billion in grants over six years to enhance the multimodal freight infrastructure in the U.S. "These types of critical investments act as economic multipliers, supporting family-wage jobs, domestic manufacturing and our regional and national economies," said Sharon Neely, chairwoman of the Coalition for America's Gateways & Trade Corridors.
Magellan Midstream Partners and LBC Tank Terminals have formed joint venture Seabrook Logistics to build over 700,000 barrels of crude storage in the Houston area along the Gulf of Mexico, the companies said Monday. The partnership also calls for constructing a pipeline connecting the facility to a refinery that, according to sources, could be any one of three refineries in Texas City. Magellan is expected to be in charge of the pipeline, while LBC will manage the terminal assets, including the storage tanks.
American Airlines, Virgin America, Southwest, Alaska Airlines, United, Delta and JetBlue are among the many airlines that have come out in support of the LGBT community this month. "Today's historic ruling is a long-awaited victory for all those who chose to take a stand for marriage equality, and we applaud the Supreme Court for affording same-sex couples the respect and dignity they deserve under the law," said United in a press release.
The Lodge at Woodloch, a luxurious spa resort in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, features 27 treatment rooms, including couples' suites, and an aqua garden equipped with tiered hydromassage WaterWalls and an indoor pool overlooking a sun terrace. One of the Lodge's signature treatments is Rosemary Awakening, which uses a blend of sea salt and rosemary to exfoliate and includes a massage with rosemary-infused oils.


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Authored By: Candace Whitman
According to CBS News, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a list of 59 hand sanitizers that they are warning consumers not to use. Some of the sanitizers on the list have been recalled and others the FDA has recommended that they be recalled.
They are specifically warning against hand sanitizers that contain methanol, also known as wood alcohol. Some of the brands on the list are sold at popular stores like Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club. CBS stated that methanol “can be toxic when absorbed through the skin and deadly if swallowed.”
The FDA recommends everyone checks their hand sanitizers for methanol and throw away any sanitizers that do contain methanol.
Click here to read more about the recall and the FDA’s warning.


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Huawei has announced it is preparing to spend €200 million to build a factory in Europe.
Amid ongoing concerns its equipment opens governments and corporations up to spying by Beijing, Huawei likely hopes that manufacturing equipment locally for the European market will help alleviate those concerns. The €200 million budget is for the land, construction and equipment necessary to establish the factory.
“The wireless communications equipment produced by this plant will be mainly used in Europe,” read the company statement. “With this plant, Huawei states that it will be able to cover every link along its value chain and drive local industries forward, both upstream and downstream. These links include R&D, sales, procurement, production, logistics, service, and talent development. The plant will also be one of Huawei’s first implementations of its advanced manufacturing technologies in Europe. This will drive the technical competitiveness of European industry and boost the resilience of local supply chains and infrastructure.
“It is estimated that this project will generate 1 billion euros worth of products annually and directly create 500 jobs. Huawei has operated in Europe for 20 years, directly employing over 12,000 employees. Huawei has directly and indirectly created approximately 170,000 jobs in Europe as a result. Moving forward, Huawei is committed to operating ‘in Europe, for Europe’, remaining open and collaborative, and continuing to contribute to Europe.”
As Huawei continues to struggle with increasing U.S. pressure, this announcement shows the length the company is willing to go to address concerns.


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When the town's first Chipotle Mexican Grill opened in 2010, the line stretched out the door at 966 Farmington Ave. and it was big news for West Hartford Center.
With its second location in West Hartford, the company chose to do a "soft opening," letting customers find them gradually.
"We just opened last week," said service manager Tylor Torres on Monday. "Each day it's getting better and better."
The newest Chipotle is at 1457 New Britain Ave., right next door to Old Navy in the Corbins Corner plaza. The restaurant has an outdoor seating area as well as indoor seating.
Chipotle's menu includes burritos, burrito bowls, soft and crispy tacos, salads and guacamole. It also has a kids' menu.


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The TEC Programme was pleased to be one of the partners supporting and promoting the North Atlantic Corona Challenge, organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and NORA, over the final weekend of May 2020.
The 48-hr virtual competition aimed to engage young people (aged 18-30) across the North Atlantic (Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Coastal Norway and Scotland) – to come up with ideas and develop solutions to tackle Covid-19 crisis, specifically in the rural North Atlantic region, to save communities, save businesses and save lives.
With participation from all 5 countries, over 60 participants registered with 29 from Scotland. In the final 12 team submissions were judged by the international jury panel (representing all 5 countries).
The ideas were judged across the three criteria – originality, realism and impact. Ideas ranged from online solutions for small rural retail businesses, to virtual reality tour guides, to medical devices with artificial intelligence to test for Covid-19. The best three proposals won cash prizes and there was an additional prize offered by HIE – 2-days’ entrepreneurship support to a team with Highlands & Islands participants and chosen by the jury.
The winning idea was developed by a Scottish (Highlands and Islands) team It is called Shop With Me – Face-to-Face Shopping Remotely, a solution to small rural retail businesses to continue operation during the pandemic.
The runner-up solution was developed by a Scottish-Icelandic team. It is called ParentEd – a solution to support parents with online education for their kids.
The third prize was claimed by an Icelandic team. The project was called DIMAI – Medical Images Diagnosis With Artificial Intelligence.
HIE’s prize of entrepreneurship support was awarded to a Scottish-Faroese team with their project called Tour’st – platform that is aimed at connecting tour guides to their customers during the pandemic. HIE’s Innovation Team will take the lead to identify the most appropriate support that HIE can offer to help develop the idea further to realise its potential.


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*French fashion magazine Numero decided to celebrate African beauty in its March issue, complete with its featured model alongside the title, “African Queen.”
The model, however, is a white girl…in blackface. In fact, she’s in blackbody, with dark makeup covering all of her exposed skin.
Needless to say, social media lit up with reaction Tuesday.
“This is offensive and it is done in poor taste. It’s sending the message that ‘We celebrate African beauty … just without any Africans,” Kay Clarke wrote on Facebook.
Fashion blog Styleite pointed out this isn’t the first time Numero has “blurred racial lines.” In 2010 the mag published photos featuring white model Constance Jablonski also with darkened skin, wearing a series of afro wigs and posing with a black baby.
The “African Queen” spread in Numero’s March issue features blond-haired, blue-eyed Ondria Hardin, a 16-year-old model from North Carolina who looks like this when she’s not in blackface…
- Dwyane Wade Resigns with the Miami Heat.
- Red, White, and Bruised: Decades of Mistreatment Spark Anti-Patriotic Outrage Among Black Americans
- Charlene Crowell: SCOTUS Ruling Preserves Key Fair Housing Tool
- THE (07-03-15) EURweb Free-4-All Page/Board
- The Pulse of Entertainment: It’s the Beginning of a new era for the 'Terminator' Franchise with 'Terminator Genisys'
- Jason Derulo Channels King of Pop in New 'Cheyenne' Video - WATCH
- Diddy Won't be Prosecuted by DA for UCLA Altercation with Coach
- Karrueche Tran Reveals Her Father is Gay
- The Game Faces Three Years in Prison for Assaulting Cop
- ‘Empire’s’ Trai Byers on the ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ of Andre Lyon
- Discover More Stories on EURweb: Click Here


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Lonely Planet is warning tourists coming to Dublin about hotel room shortages, soaring car rental costs, and chaos at the airport.
It's described prices for hotel rooms as 'eye-watering' and says increasing hotel costs are wreaking havoc with travellers budgets.
It's advising people to make it to the airport in plenty of time, saying Dublin Airport has been 'plagued by long lines at security in recent weeks'.
Tourists are being advised to book restaurants in advance, with Lonely Planet saying on weekends you'll have as much chance scoring the winning Lotto ticket as bagging a walk-in in a city centre restaurant.
However, the travel guide says Dublin is a city that thrives on it's reputation for craic, and you shouldn't need help finding any.
Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, chairperson of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, says the best way to find good value for accommodation's to book in advance and book direct:


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Looking at the digital wallet, gift card and merchant loyalty programs currently available, I realize that I want more.
The thing that's missing in today's digital payments is a deeper integration between charitable giving and shopping. The concept of using the payments stream to donate is compelling because it provides an easy way to link everyday consumer payments with charitable giving.
To successfully combine giving and payments, integrations must offer payments with or without plastic, allow consumers to choose the organizations that receive donations and the process has to be simple.
As a recent MARC Research study commissioned by the Google Shopper Marketing Agency Council shows, 84% of consumers that consider themselves "smartphone shoppers" use their devices to help shop while they're in stores. The study also found that frequent mobile shoppers spend 25% more in-store than people who only occasionally use their smartphones while shopping.
And since 79% of smartphone owners surveyed consider themselves smartphone shoppers, it's clear that consumers will continue to have higher expectations for mobile features and benefits that enhance the in-store experience.
Indeed, some merchants have already begun responding to this demand by creating a link between loyalty, charitable giving and payments. But providing payments with or without plastic is still a tough nut to crack. There are a number of digital wallets that can serve up 2D bar codes that enable mobile payments, but so far, merchant adoption has been sparse.
Safeway recently began piloting a decoupled debit card that allows consumers to link a checking account to the grocer's loyalty card, and also provides users with digital coupons and rewards bonuses. Shoppers who use the Fast Forward product don't need to carry a physical card with them at the store grocery and gas payments can be made by entering in a phone number and PIN.
What's more is that during checkout, Safeway presents customers with an embedded giving opportunity to donate to its cause of the month (in August, the beneficiary was the Muscular Dystrophy Association).
Grocery is a merchant segment receiving a significant amount of attention from payment marketers, and for good reason. Consumers depend on their smartphones for a variety of interactions at grocery stores, including saving time and money, as well as making their lives easier, according to research by the Food Marketing Institute.
Mobile devices are clearly influencing consumer behaviors, and by embedding donation opportunities like cause of the month, featured charity organizations and donation credits when shoppers bring in their own bags, merchants are promoting charitable giving. But it's just the beginning.
The opportunity exists to add capabilities that build on consumers' committed spend. As customers accrue miles or cash back percentages on affinity credit cards, linked donation programs could automatically allocate a percentage of those rewards to their chosen organization.
But in order for such a program to really work as a vehicle for donations, all of the participants in the service chain will have to agree on a common infrastructure. Case in point: some card issuer programs acknowledge spend and earn behavior with charitable giving, but if the merchants that cardholders make purchases from don't participate on the issuer's platform, many transactions are left out of the initiative. As it currently stands, between issuer, acquirer and processor fees, charges can range from 2% to 20% just to ride the rails, meaning a $1 donation drops in value to 80 cents before it reaches its intended destination.
That said, there is an expansive audience for donating at retail checkout, and the multiplier effect of numerous 80-cent donations can create some impressive results. There are approximately 106.5 million U.S. households with a checking account, according to FDIC estimates, about equal to the 107 million people in the U.S. that own a smartphone, according to the Online Publishers Association. There's significant overlap in these two populations, but even a 10% adoption rate from either group, at 80 cents per donation, creates $8.5 million in giving potential.
By using social media to promote giving, merchants and their technology and service providers can reach a captive audience of consumers and charity groups and unleash this potential.
The growing impact of social media on charitable giving is significant. For example, charities that incorporate Twitter into their donation campaigns generate 10 times more money raised in online donations, according to MDG Advertising.
In the case of grocery store charity programs, merchants can leverage their existing loyalty program infrastructure or work with a service partner to enable social giving. By inviting their customers to engage on social media, grocers can boost their social giving visibility with targeted marketing. And by combining social giving and payments mechanisms that promote automated donations at the point of sale, businesses can empower consumers to be more active in social giving and increase donation levels.
Lindsay Aranha is an independent financial services and payments consultant.


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The NFL has another Super Bowl jersey-gate on its hands.
This one involves Michael Strahan, who reportedly believes he has his jersey from Super Bowl XLII framed in his home. But Goldin Auctions has another Strahan jersey that it says was the one the Giants defensive end actually wore while beating the Patriots 17-14 in 2008, reported TMZ, and the most recent bid for it hit $39,000.
Strahan, according to TMZ, says he gave his jersey to a friend and told him to take it right to his hotel room. The Pro Football Hall of Famer is “adamant” that is the jersey that is currently in his house.
But Goldin Auctions claims that Strahan’s jersey from that game landed in the hands of a Giants equipment manager, who gave it to another person before it arrived at the memorabilia company. Its founder and CEO, Ken Goldin, sought out two photo match experts to confirm the jersey is the same one seen in postgame photos of Strahan.
“We are 100% confident the Strahan jersey in the auction is authentic,” Goldin told TMZ. “And the photo matching services letters and images speak for themselves.”
Goldin believes the final bid for the Strahan jersey could exceed $100,000.
Before Strahan, Tom Brady dealt with his own jersey-gate after Super Bowl LI. The former Patriots quarterback unknowingly had his jersey stolen in the post-game locker room, setting off a search that involved the FBI. A man from a Mexican news organization was eventually found to be the culprit and Brady’s jersey was returned to him two months later.


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Holden News & Reviews
Say goodbye to the rear-drive V8s, the 4x4 pick-up is now Australia's car of choice3 Nov 2019 by Tung Nguyen
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 2021: Ford Ranger Raptor-baiting tough truck revealed in the USA9 Oct 2019 by Andrew Chesterton
Ford Ranger vs Toyota HiLux: Blue Oval 4x4 ute sales outpacing Aussie favourite7 Aug 2019 by Tung Nguyen
Holden BELMONT FAQs
No car is perfect, so we've gathered everything relating to the Holden BELMONT reliability here to help you decide if it's a smart buy.


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Every game-changer has its share of risks. While some have failed miserably, there are those which thrived despite the odds. Check out 15 of them here.
The 2005 classic is making the jump to VR.
Mario deserves a celebration with much more pomp and grandeur.
It's also Nintendo's third highest-selling title in terms of launch month physical dollar and unit sales.
Even without the strongest followings, these RPGs stole our hearts.
The Fall deluge continues with some of the biggest games out this month.
There's marketing and then there's the insane realm of video game marketing stunts.
Just when you thought it was all over, there was one more thing.
Just when you think the fight's really about to start, these bosses high-tail it.
Everything you need to know about Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn.
Pre-orders will go live for the survival horror classics on February 28th.
A look back at the classic stealth franchise.
PlayStation does what Nintendoes already.
These would be pretty cool new games to bring back on the Switch, for sure.
Motion what, now?
Sometimes new concepts alter how we play games forever. These 15 did not.
Don't you know it's time to raise our sales?
September 29 for other regions.
In just under an hour.
Now you're playing with power!


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Faberge’s fabulous, jewel-encrusted Imperial Easter Eggs are the stuff of legends, and soon we will be able to see one up-close as the iconic global jewellery brand is all set to make its debut on Indian shores.
Making the announcement recently, the company’s CEO Sean Gilbertson stated that as part of its plans for India, the brand will be showcasing its latest creations and collections, as the company seeks to tap its growing market, which is counted among the fastest growing economies in the world.
“With growing economy and wealth, India has become an important market for us,” revealed Gibertson. Adding, “In the past, Faberge had served many Indian royalties with eternal jewelleries and objets d’art.
“We have come to the country for the first time to showcase a few of our exquisite pieces, including jewellery, timepieces and objets d’art for the Indian connoisseur and explore possibilities to set up business here.”
Founded in 1842, Faberge has been one of the most iconic brands in the glittering world of jewellery since Peter Carl Faberge became the official goldsmith to the Russian Imperial Court.
Interestingly, this will not be the brand’s first brush with India having had a long list of Indian royalty commissioning exclusive pieces since the early 1900s. In 1903, the Maharaja Sir Pratab Singh Bahadur of Jammu and Kashmir commissioned a multi-coloured, gold mounted rock-crystal stamp-holder by Faberge, decorated with red and white enamel and embellished with an exotic snake adorned with precious diamonds and garnets.
His royal clientele later extended to as far as the Maharaja of Bikaner, who in 1937 bought a beautifully crafted Faberge presentation box adorned with a Romanov double-eagle in rose diamond.
Owned by the world’s leading emeralds and rubies-miner Gemfields Plc, Faberge has a reputation for creating some of the most exquisite, expensive pieces of jewellery with a price range from USD 5,000 to a cool USD 3mn.
Drawn by India’s growing list of billionaires, Faberge plans to sell its products through select trunk shows for the super-rich, setting up in Delhi and Mumbai, India’s economic hotspots.
Faberge retails its creations through 39 multi-brand outlets including Mayfair and Harrods and plans to hold more trunk shows in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Products sold in India include a selection of coloured gemstones – emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, and timepieces including the award-winning Lady Compliquee peacock watch.
The company, famous for its ‘Imperial eggs’, with this showcase in New Delhi and Mumbai, is testing the waters of the Indian market, which remains home to many of the world’s greatest connoisseurs and collectors Gilbertson added.
“India has tremendous potential gauging from the responses we have received for our collection, which leads us to be extremely positive about the country in future.”
“With the magical city of Jaipur in its northern Rajasthan province well-established as the centre of the coloured gemstone world, India’s proclivity for colour – steeped in tradition and history make it undoubtedly the most exciting and vibrant market today,” he said.


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E-retailer Extreme Digital has recently opened a new store in Kika in Soroksár, in Budapest’s District XXIII, the first such shop opened inside a furniture store. Extreme Digital says it expects the new store to see outstanding traffic. It will soon offer joint shipping with Kika and Abra, another furniture store inside the complex, so customers can receive their furniture and appliances at the same time.
Wed, Apr. 26, 2017, 09:55


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A super rare Rolex model is set to go up for auction in May this year as part of Phillips‘ “Daytona Ultimatum” charity sale. The white gold Daytona is believed to be the only watch of its kind ever made, with experts believing it was made as a special order for one of the Swiss label’s most valued clients in 1970.
Other features of the watch include a black “sigma” dial with white gold indexes and a matching bracelet, which was added to the watch by its current owner. The model is in good condition, although there is no other known version of the watch to compare it to. When it hits the “Daytona Ultimatum” auction, this watch is expected to raise somewhere in the region of 3 million CHF, approximately $3.175 million USD.
In related news, Hublot recently unveiled a “Red Magic” Big Bang Unico.


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Love Island beauty Lucinda Strafford had some fans rather puzzled recently after a picture emerged on Instagram which showed her posing at a petrol station.
The blonde bombshell, who made her mark on this year's series, certainly turned heads in the gorgeous snap – but due to Britain's ongoing fuel crisis some fans thought it was an "ironic" location.
Posing for fashion company The Luxe Range, Lucinda stood confidently in front of the petrol pumps wearing silky white shorts and a low cut black ribbed top.
She also added a black Yves Saint Laurent hand bag that sported gold detailing to her outfit.
But despite the gorgeous look, fans couldn't help but point out the location choice.
Love Island's Amy Day finds love as she reveals ex Hugo blocked her on Instagram
Taking to the comment section, one fan wrote: "Ironic settings."
Another chimed: "Lucky you, you're at the petrol station," followed by a rolling eyed emoji.
Asking about Lucinda's white shorts that the fashion company was selling a third follower penned: "Do they come with free petrol?"
Luckily for Lucinda, the out of fuel signs that many people have been seeing over the last week were not in sight, but it still left some fans jealous that they weren't witnessing the empty locations Lucinda had spotted.
Jack Grealish and Sasha Attwood are 'new Posh and Becks' as she lands clothing deal
Over the last few days, UK car owners have been faced with fuel shortages due to initial panic buying.
But today Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has said there are signs that the petrol crisis – which has seen immensely long queues outside forecourts across Great Britain – is "stabilising".
Since leaving Love Island, Lucinda, 21, has landed a job with online fashion retailer I Saw It First and will become their new brand ambassador.
Revealing the news to her fans she said: "I am so excited to finally reveal that I am a brand ambassador for I Saw It First!
Celeb SAS' Wes Nelson cries after brutal telling off for 'ego' and 'arrogance'
"I am such a big fan of the brand and loved wearing their clothes in the villa so it was a definite YES when they approached me to be one of their ambassadors.
"Announcing this alongside my first ever collection with them is a dream come true."
She also took to Instagram last week to showcase her new collection to fans.
The reality babe penned: "It's here! My edit with @isawitfirst has launched and I can't believe #LUCINDAXISAW is online for you guys to shop!
"I've covered every occasion with out out looks and more cosy looks for chilled days. Make sure you use my code LUCINDA55 to get 55% off! Head to the link in my bio to shop my collection NOW!"
Source: Read Full Article


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Prime Minister Ana Brnabic on the strategy for the development of viticulture from 2020 to 2030. State helps through incentives for new plantings and subsidies for equipment.
By the end of February, the Strategy for the Development of Wine and Viticulture from 2020 to 2030 will be adopted. This is the first time a ten-year plan for the development of this sector has been made. Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said at the manifestation “St. Triphun on the Savski Venac”, organized for the first time by the Association of Serbian Winegrowers and Viticulturists, that the strategy will help to present Serbia and Serbian wines as well as possible to the world.
Brnabic announced that around 300 million euros will be invested in the development of winemaking and viticulture over the next decade.
– Wine exports in 2018 were around 19 million euros, and we are just expecting data for last year. There is certainly a strong upward trend and even better results are expected in 2020 and 2021 – said the Prime Minister.
– The state supports the development of winemaking and viticulture through incentives for new plantations, reimbursement of costs, subsidies for equipment. Viticulture is an important sector for Serbian tourism, since wine routes are the fastest growing part of tourism globally. Winemaking has the potential to grow like an IT industry that grows 26 or 27 percent annually. The Prime Minister said that Serbia receives significant support from the EU for the development of winemaking and viticulture through the IPARD program, where farmers are being funded with up to one million euros, Novosti reports.


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Concerns over in-store safety have led consumers to embrace a range of new delivery services this year, including curbside pickup and “buy online, pickup in store” (BOPIS). But as regular store offerings resume, consumers have more options and could be pickier about the quality of their experience. And new data suggests that some current services aren’t fully meeting expectations.
Industry insights firm Incisiv conducted a survey of 2,510 US shoppers during the first week of August, commissioned by Manhattan Associates. The results showed that 85% of consumers had significantly increased their use of curbside pickup since COVID-19, while 80% expect to increase this engagement further during the next six months; 79% described contactless pickup as “very important” to them.
Same-day need of product was ranked as the top motivation for visiting stores by 88% of those surveyed, therefore e-commerce businesses risk losing out on those purchases if they can’t provide that speed of fulfilment.
Maintaining the balance between customer desire and safety is another challenge; the survey found that even though 74% miss in-store product trials, only 5% would be willing to resume those in the next 6 months. But BOPIS and curbside pickup have enabled consumers to retain some of their favorite parts of the in-store experience while staying safe, such as providing instant gratification of purchase (100% of respondents).
This led to mass adoption of these services, but Incisiv found that retailers are consistently falling short in terms of quality and safety. Consumers ranked in-store experiences as 4.68/5 for safety and cleanliness, while pickup services scored 3.9/5. Similarly, the overall curbside and BOPIS experiences performed badly, scoring 3.53 and 3.56 respectively. The three biggest complaints were lack of in-store availability; difficulty booking preferred pickup times; and difficulty filtering for products available for pickup.
“In the immediate aftermath of the pandemic shoppers had little choice but to overlook friction in the online ordering and store pick-up experience – not anymore,” said the report. “With continued growth in adoption expected over the next 6 months, shoppers will switch loyalties to retailers who offer more seamless experiences.”
Incisiv assessed which were the most important features for consumers who participate in an omnichannel shopping experience beginning online and finishing in-store. For those browsing online before shopping at stores, the ability to see available store inventory was the most important (91%), even more so than store hours.
Those preparing for curbside pickup or BOPIS valued the ability to see which stores offered those services (100%); which products were eligible for those services (99%); and easy availability of pickup dates and times (94%). Consumers were much less interested in complicated digital experiences, with 0% reporting that they would want to be able to virtually browse the store.
The investments that many online merchants have made to their platforms appear to have paid off, with 85% of consumers scoring the online ordering experience four stars or higher. The fulfilment of these purchases, however, has created friction and is therefore where retailers should be turning their attention. In particular, wait time was scored 3 stars or lower by 64% of respondents.
“Shoppers rate their recent checkout and pick-up experiences poorly across a variety of parameters,” said the report. “With shoppers demanding speed, immediacy and convenience, the checkout and pick-up customer journey becomes critically important for retailers. If retailers don’t improve [these] experiences, there is little likelihood they will retain shopper loyalty for long.”


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Alexandria Gouveia has been promoted to Editor of online platform, emirateswoman.com. Formerly Deputy Editor of Emirates Woman Group, Alexandria has had over 10 years experience in print and digital media, and has previously worked online for Blackbook, DazedDigital and NewWoman. She will now be in charge of upscaling the powerful digital platform, which continues to complement the Middle East’s longest running women’s magazine.
“I’m very excited about this new opportunity,” says Alexandria. “I look forward to making emirateswoman.com as prestigious and well-respected as the magazine.”


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Samsung Galaxy Fold Z’s Exciting Concept Design
Foldable phones, the star of the peace of the patent files that emerged last week after the Samsung renderers of the phone was prepared. The LetsGoDigital team’s renderings for Forbes showed how the device described in the patents would be a foldable phone.
Samsung, Galaxy Fold’un pre-order period after introducing the device was extremely painful. Having suffered a lot of hardware problems on the foldable phone, Samsung was ultimately forced to withdraw their phones from the market, and did not share a new release date.
There was a lot of information about Samsung’s foldable phone. So far, none of the information that has emerged that the phone will be announced again has been successful in proving its accuracy. Another device image appeared from Samsung indicating that it is working on the foldable phone.
A visual that proves that the Samsung team still has a lot of ideas about foldable phones was released recently. Last week we saw a phone that looked like a full tablet when it was opened with the patent file of a ‘Z’ foldable phone.
The LetsGoDigital team reviewed the patent file that came out last week and created the rendering of a Samsung foldable phone, now called the Galaxy Fold Z. The phone, even at first glance, was the kind to connect users.
The main features of the foldable smartphones are that they are the size of a standard smartphone when folded and almost tablet size when opened. The device is thought to be called Galaxy Fold Z when the job is opened a little larger than the three-fold display offers a large screen.
In addition to this, with the increase in the interest in mobile gaming, large devices can be seen to stand out much more. With the emergence of a device with this design, we can say that mobile users and gamers will make this phone the focus.
Of course, as we persistently say in every patent news, telephones appearing in patent files are known as papers reflecting the ideas of companies. Although the plans here are likely to be implemented, they may not see the face of the day.


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Research in Motion (RIM) is making a new bid to break into the South African market, spearheading its campaign with the new Blackberry Pearl handset.
Charmaine Eggberry, vice-president and MD: EMEA of RIM, is on a flying visit to South Africa to jumpstart the company's operations here and put marketing plans in place to help position the Blackberry value proposition.
RIM has been operational in South Africa for some years, and Blackberry handsets and services have been available from both MTN and Vodacom but, so far, the technology has failed to set this market alight.
Eggberry says that so far in this visit, the only message she has received from partners is that there is huge opportunity in the local market.
"There is tremendous development and everyone is incredibly upbeat," she says. "We are expecting to see a very strong adoption of the technology."
A big stumbling block, she adds, is that South African users aren't familiar with the Blackberry value proposition and tend to compare it with other handset manufacturers on a device level.
"The problem is that people haven't had the Blackberry experience as yet," she says. "We see there is a need for education, and to talk about how other people are using the device."
Eggberry says the Blackberry is more than a device and more than a managed e-mail service. The company's Beyond E-mail campaign is all about letting business partners port their applications to the device so that it literally becomes a mobile computer rather than simply a phone that collects e-mail.
"That the first message we are putting out: there is an enormous opportunity out there, and it's not just about e-mail."
The renewed focus on the South African market comes at the same time as Nokia – the incumbent market leader – is re-organising its operations on a global scale.
Under the new organisation, Nokia's current business group and horizontal group structure in the device business will be replaced by three main units: devices, responsible for creating the best device portfolio for the marketplace; services & software, reflecting Nokia's strategic emphasis on growing its offering of consumer internet services and enterprise solutions and software; and markets, responsible for management of Nokia's supply chains, sales channels and marketing activities.
In addition, Nokia will establish a chief development office to optimise Nokia's strategic capabilities and growth potential and also provide operational support for integration across all these units in conjunction with the CEO.
"The convergence of the mobile communications and internet industries is opening up new growth opportunities for us, both in the devices business as well as in consumer internet services and enterprise solutions," says Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo. "Growing consumer demand for rich, mobile experiences creates an opportunity for change.
"Nokia will bring these capabilities to the broadest range of devices and price points. This unleashes the power of Nokia's device volumes, now coupled with new services and business solutions. This distinctive approach sets Nokia apart from point solutions vendors.
"We believe this new organization can capitalise on these opportunities while allowing us to increase the effectiveness of our investments and the efficiency of our operations."


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Stocks of large-cap tech giants Apple (AAPL -3.23%), Amazon (AMZN -5.50%)Y nvidia (NVDA -5.26%) were down sharply on Friday, falling 3.4%, 5.6%, and 5.5%, respectively, by 1 pm ET.
There wasn’t much material news from any of these three tech giants today. However, each of these companies trades at above-average valuations and thus have been affected by today’s higher-than-expected inflation reading.
This morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the May Consumer Price Index, which tracks price movements for end consumers. While many expected the March reading to have marked an inflation spike, the May figures disappointed with the highest inflation figure since 1981.
The headline inflation figure was 8.6%, versus expectations of 8.3%, while “core” inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, was 6%, versus the 5.9% estimate. What was especially worrying was that it wasn’t just one element that seemed to surprise to the upside, such as energy, which was known to be pushing up. The bureau wrote that inflation was “broad-based,” with food costs and housing costs also rising sharply. Surprisingly, even the prices of items such as clothing and used vehicles, which seemed to be falling last month, rose once again.
Investors may be asking, “What does this have to do with Apple, Amazon, and Nvidia?” Well, each of these stocks is a growth stock with a higher than average P/E ratio. Even after today’s drop, Apple is trading at a P/E ratio of 22.4, with Amazon at 52.4 and Nvidia at 45.7, all above the market average.
If inflation is higher and more persistent than expected, investors may have to discount higher long-term interest rates. For example, the 10-year Treasury bond yield rose 12 basis points today to 3.17% as of this writing, surpassing levels last seen in October 2018.
A higher long-term interest rate could cause investors to discount future earnings by a larger amount. The further into the future those earnings are, the more they are discounted. Therefore, rising rates hit growth stocks particularly hard as their valuation ratios are compressed.
On the other hand, when the Federal Reserve raises rates, there is also a fear that it will go too far and cause a recession to drive prices back down. That wouldn’t be good for discretionary names, or really any stock that isn’t a staple whose products are bought in good times and bad. Traditionally, technology products have been viewed as discretionary. If this scenario unfolds, these companies will not only see lower P/E multiples, but their financials could be affected in the short term.
Although the technology has traditionally been viewed as discretionary, it could be argued that these names are less discretionary than they used to be. After all, more and more of our lives are now conducted through our phones and laptops, so Apple’s results may not be as cyclical as they were, say, five years ago. On the other hand, consumers can delay updates longer.
Similarly, Amazon’s retail site is currently plagued by higher shipping costs, and consumers are able to purchase less discretionary items. On the other hand, Amazon is also known for its low prices, and higher fuel costs could entice consumers to order more from the e-commerce giant instead of going to a store.
Nvidia is tricky, as semiconductors are known to be highly cyclical. However, while gaming and laptop sales may decline, Nvidia’s strong position to enable artificial intelligence (AI) could allow it to grow during an economic downturn. AI is becoming increasingly useful to a wider swath of businesses and is a key competitive advantage for many. Additionally, automating more processes could help reduce labor costs and increase efficiency.
With each of these names already down from their highs in large numbers, and with each stock enjoying strong competitive advantages, I would not recommend that long-term investors rush into selling any of these names in a panic. After all, these companies survived the dot-com crash and Great Recession of 2008, and they will survive this bout of inflation. On the other hand, there’s a lot of uncertainty right now, so I’d also be cautious about adding or stacking these names just because they’re down.
So these three seem to be “holding” at the moment for long-term investors. However, those without a position who are interested in these top tech names may want to consider starting a position at these discounted prices in the long run. Just be prepared for more snags if the Fed has to raise rates higher than expected. Keep allocations within your risk parameters in a diversified portfolio and perhaps consider dollar cost averaging during what should be a volatile summer.


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With more and more news, leaks and rumors paving the way for the imminent launch of Intel’s 12th-generation CPU codenamed Alder Lake-S, we now receive the first photos of the packaging designs for the new line courtesy of VideoCardz.
Following their recent rebrand like, Intel will use the same style packaging we’ve seen on the Rocket Lake-S 11th-gen CPUs with the blue box design as well typography. As the images indicate, we’ll see the Core i9, Core i7 and Core i5 first with the Core i3 models arriving on a later date but the box would be the same. The image above shows the unlocked CPU packaging and hence do not include the box cooler.
Like the 9th-gen release onwards, Intel will also have a stylized box for the Core i9-12900K. It seems Intel will be including a graphic of their silicon wafer in the box with the CPU tucked in the center.
Intel will have an Innovation event on October 28th with 12th-gen Core CPUs releasing soon after.


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In Pakistan, the auto makers for years have charged premium prices but have always managed to put the lives of their consumers at risk by ignoring the various security features.
Now, slowly companies are realizing their responsibility, most likely because of the fear of the introduction of foreign companies that plan to manufacture their cars in Pakistan.
Suzuki recently introduced two SRS airbags in its new 1000cc Cultus in Pakistan and now Indus Motors is also integrating various safety features in Toyota Corolla.
Apart from the exterior and interior updates, the Toyota Corolla will feature:
- Dual SRS bags
- Front Seatbelts: 3-Point ELR with Pretensioner and Force Limiter
- GOA Body with Reinforcement
- ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors
In March, the company concerned over the braking issues in its vehicles recalled over 9,000 different variants of its flagship model, Toyota Corolla, 2016-17.
To promote the safety features of Toyota Corolla, the company organized a campaign last month in Karachi to introduce THUMS- Total Human Model For Safety which is an advanced crash dummy developed by Toyota that helps analyze, in detail, the impact to vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and liver during a simulated crash.
Reportedly, the company is planning to launch the facelift of Toyota Corolla in August this year which will be more secure than its previous models. The company will also introduce these features in its other models.


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If you like the finest in audio quality, than you will be happy to know that the THX badge could be slapped on your next smartphone or tablet. THX is best known for certifying high end audio equipment, including speakers.
THX senior vice president Rick Dean says that smartphone and tablets are becoming more important for content delivery, and he is looking for ways his company could improve the experiences of users. “We are actively going down that path right now,” he said in a Pocket-lint interview.
“Five years ago, I said that we should really get into the mobile audio world, but they said, ‘You can’t get a theatrical experience out of that, you’re listening to it with earbuds.’
“But look at the way that music is consumed today,” he added. “And it’s got to the point where I know I can work with a company who makes phones like these here. Maybe produce an app that will improve the user experience.
The fact that mobile devices now hook up to HDTV’s is pushing for this need. More consumers will be using their tablets and phones as overall media players for not just music, but video as well.
It is unknown how THX will bring about better audio and video. The best situation would be for certification of the hardware and provide licensed software. It could be either or both. “Whether it’s certification, or whether it’s technology licensing, we’re very much working on both of those worlds,” said Dean.
There is no timeline, but the fact they are starting to work together is enough to get me excited.


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According to new research from Toronto Metropolitan University, 100% orange juice and sugar-sweetened beverages are not equivalent when looking at effects on food intake and glycemic response, and they should not be grouped into the same category when making beverage decisions.
Reducing intake of free sugars to 10% or less of daily energy intake is suggested by the World Health Organization to reduce the risk of unhealthy body weight and dental caries.
In line with these recommendations, some national dietary guidelines recommend reducing sugar intake from all sources.
Nevertheless, because these recommendations do not isolate the source of free sugars and are based primarily on data from observational studies, the physiological mechanisms underlying any observed effects cannot be easily determined.
“Our findings emphasize the importance of considering the source of sugar when looking at overall health effects,” said Dr. Nick Bellissimo of Toronto Metropolitan University, senior author of the study.
The randomized, repeatedly measured study involved 36 male and female adults with body mass index at normal levels who consumed cereal, 2% milk, and 1 cup 100% orange juice, orange-flavored, two hours after breakfast. Consumed sugar-sweetened beverages and water. A breakfast bar.
Glycemic response, average hunger, and subjective feelings were measured every 15 minutes for 60 minutes in 34 participants.
Rest-of-the-day glycemic response and energy intake were determined using continuous glucose monitors and food records in 31 participants.
Subjective sweetness and pleasantness were determined immediately after the beverage was tasted.
Glycemic response, average hunger, and subjective feelings were measured every 15 minutes for 60 minutes.
Food intake for the pizza lunch was scheduled 60 minutes later.
Blood glucose was lower after 100% orange juice than after orange drink at 15, 30 and 45 minutes, but not after 60 minutes.
Blood glucose concentrations were lower for the rest of the day after 100% orange juice compared to orange drink and water.
The findings also showed that food intake at lunch and throughout the day was lower after drinking 100% orange juice compared to the orange drink.
Participants enjoyed 100% orange juice more with higher subjective pleasantness measurements than orange drink and water.
Substituting sugar-sweetened beverages with 100% orange juice can reduce total calorie intake throughout the day and help control blood sugar levels.
100% orange juice contains flavonoids like hesperidin that may affect sugar absorption by delaying glucose transport resulting in delayed glycemic response.
Consumption of 100% orange juice is associated with higher intake of flavonoids, less added sugars, and a higher quality diet.
“Consuming 100% orange juice as a preload resulted in greater calorie compensation, lower total daily energy intake, and lower blood glucose concentrations compared to orange drinks,” the researchers said.
“Future longitudinal studies are needed to assess whether habitual replacement of sugar-sweetened beverages with 100% orange juice can contribute to healthy body weight and better glycemic control.”
The paper was published in the journal Nutrients,
Stephanie Robaio and others, 2024. Effect of 100% orange juice and volume-matched sugar-sweetened beverages on subjective appetite, food intake, and glycemic response in adults. Nutrients 16(2):242; DOI: 10.3390/nu16020242


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New Delhi [India], July 20 (ANI): A city court will pronounce its verdict on Tuesday in an unlawful assembly and looting shop case connecting to north-East Delhi violence.
It is to mention that this will be the first case in connection with north-East Delhi violence where judgement will be pronounced.
The order will be pronounced by Karkardooma's Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat.
As per the prosecution, accused Suresh alias Bhatura was part of the unlawful assembly which was armed with lathis and 'sariyas' (rods) and committed rioting and they broke open the shutter lock of the shop of the complainant Asif, owned by Bhagat Singh.
The court on March 9, 2021, had ordered to frame charges against accused Suresh under Section 454 of Indian Penal Code (house trespass), Section 395 of IPC (dacoity) and other various offences dealing with unlawful assembly.
On the basis of material on record, the Court had ordered to framed charges against Suresh alias Bhatura under sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 427 (mischief causing damage), 454 of the IPC read with sections 149 and 395 of IPC.
Delhi Police had filed the chargesheet under section143/147/149/454/395 of IPC against accused Suresh.
The complainant Asif had stated that on February 25, 2020 evening, a huge crowd of people carrying iron rods and lathi came at his shop in Main Babarpur Road, Delhi and attacked it, broke open the shutter lock and looted the shop.
According to the prosecution, the shop was owned by Bhagat Singh and given on rent to Asif. As per the complaint, the shop was looted.
The prosecution has said that Bhagat Singh, who was the owner of the shop, had given a statement that there were certain people who were inciting others to damage and loot the shop because it was owned by a Muslim. (ANI)


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As the air turns colder and the year winds down, many retailers’ thoughts are on one thing: the holiday season. The holidays are a critically important time for the retail industry, and businesses have reason to be excited for 2018: the National Retail Federation is projecting a 4.5% increase in retail sales over 2017. That’s thanks to many factors, including consumer confidence being high and unemployment being low.
Steven Barr at Forbes recently wrote about the upcoming 2018 retail holiday season, and what trends brands need to keep a sharp eye on if they want to capitalize on more than just tinsel and snowflakes this year.
Shoppers Are Spending More, Especially Millennials
According to a recent study by PwC, consumers plan to spend 5% more on average than they did last holiday season. Across the entire retail industry, that works out to approximately $1,250 per shopper. When you narrow that figure down to high-earning millennials (incomes over $70,000), retailers will be competing for over $2,000 of spending from each and every shopper. In fact, the same study found that millennials will pay more this holiday season for brands that will offer quality, convenience, speed, and personalized experiences.
Brick-and-Mortar Retail Will Work Together with E-commerce
When it comes to retail this holiday season, some things haven’t changed, and nothing beats the experience of walking through a store or shopping mall for picking out holiday gifts. 91% of holiday shoppers plan to make purchases at a physical retail location this season, so brands will need to invest in creating winning customer experiences with their retail signage and promotional materials. Creating positive, inviting store experiences encourages shoppers to linger for longer and, ultimately, spend more.
But in today’s digital world, that’s not the whole story. 75% of shoppers “expect an integrated experience across digital and physical locations,” so maintaining brand consistency and creating omnichannel customer experiences that track the buyer’s journey will be critical.
Create Memorable, Shareable In-Store Retail Experiences
As online shopping gets more and more convenient, retail brands will need to find ways to create customer experiences worth coming into the store for. While digital integration will be critical (promotional QR codes, email campaigns with in-store coupons, etc.), even more important will be what Barr calls “grammable” moments, after the popular social media platform Instagram.
Barr highlights the outdoor apparel outfitter Canada Goose, who designed and created a “cold room” for their flagship retail store in Toronto where customers could try out puffy coats, gigantic scarves, and oversized hats. As intended, the cold room led to many shareable photos, and with a custom hashtag already in place, the campaign took off, and Canada Goose enjoyed a massive boost to its retail sales.
Shoppers want a holiday filled with cheer. Brands can give it to them by creating these unique and engaging in-store experiences.
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The global head of ad product & innovation discusses Bloomberg’s digital advertising suite, including a recently added self-serve tool.
Here are the essentials of what a CDP needs to be and do, and what the common elements of useful marketing databases are.
Chief Product Officer Nina Gould discusses how Forbes is using technology to drive audience engagement and first-party data collection.
GDPR was the catalyst for many publishers to onboard Consent Management Platforms (CMPs). According to eMarketer data, 1 in 3 UK publishers had a CMP partner by the end of 2018, while US publishers trailed slightly behind with 29% adopting CMPs that year. There’s no recent US-specific data on CMPs, but state laws like CCPA…
From Greenville, S.C., to Lakeland, Fla., media company 6AM City is engaging audiences in communities across the southeastern U.S. with email newsletters in the spirit of The Skimm – but on a hyper-local level. In this episode, Co-Founder & COO Ryan Heafy discusses 6AM's business model, technology strategy, and plans for expansion.
In this webcast, industry experts will cover how publishers can foster greater subscriber retention to drive recurring revenue growth.
The market is maturing away from the open exchange, and a Google privacy sandbox isn’t going to change that.
In this episode, we discuss how B2B media company HousingWire is investing in quality journalism, shifting event strategy, and developing digital products that serve both readers and advertising clients in “the new normal.”
Programmatic media buying has been stealing the lunch of publishers for more than a decade. I know this because, before running MEDQOR, a leading B2B publisher for the healthcare industry, I worked on the media agency side. I know as well as anyone how the promise of data and technology streamlining the media business has…
Condé Nast Entertainment (CNE) develops video and audio content for major media brands including Bon Appétit, GQ, Vanity Fair, and Vogue – now with the added challenge of remote production during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we talk to CNE President Oren Katzeff about how the global studio is operating during this trying time and experimenting with new formats from home.


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Andy Rawlinson will join Buckingham Schenk as the company’s new sales director on 1 August this year.
UK wine importer and distributor Buckingham Schenk has promoted sales director Craig Durham to fill its managing director vacancy.
Some of the UK’s leading importers, including Mentzendorff, Enotria and Accolade, will return to the London Wine Fair next year.
Argentina producer Viñalba has added a new flagship wine to its range, a Malbec blend called Diane.
Buckingham Schenk has announced that it will not be attending this year’s LIWF, partly because it will not be able to dock its tall-ship Atlantis.
New attitudes to winemaking in Argentina are spurring a trend towards subtler wine styles and the examination of terroir, thinks Buckingham Schenk’s managing director Jon Pepper.
Founder and chairman of Buckingham Schenk, Cliff Roberson, is leaving the importer next month.
With just one week to go, the drinks business picks out some potential highlights to expect from the London International Wine Fair 2012.
© 2017 Union Press Ltd | Unit 122, 30 Great Guildford Street, London SE1 0HS, UK | Registered in England and Wales No. 03606414 | Tel: +44 (0)20 7803 2420


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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA), voted to advance the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act to reduce gas prices and cut costs for Coastal Virginians.
The legislation would authorize $200 million for the Secretary of Agriculture to expand the biofuel infrastructure and create a permanent waiver for the sale of E15 gasoline, a special blend of ethanol fuel that will lower costs for consumers.
“Rising costs and supply chain issues continue to impact working families and small businesses in Hampton Roads and across the country. The Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act will reduce gas prices, address inflation, strengthen supply chains, and cut costs at the grocery store for Coastal Virginians. I was proud to support this legislation today, and I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find solutions and lower costs for families in the short and long term,” Rep. Luria said.
The bill would also promote competition in the food and agriculture sectors and expand a USDA loan program to aid meat processors and create new slaughter capacity.


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After silver's biggest run-up in over 3 years yesterday, it has only corrected slightly in the overnight session heading into the U.S. market open. Silver is down $0.56 to 29.25 while gold is down $6.20 to $1596. China and U.S. bullion buying are trumping the bearish India bullion figures which were the headline news yesterday. The world gold council has predicted an increase in central bank buying to result in a higher return in gold compared to 2011 (going out on the limb there with that prediction). The Doc reported last night that the U.S. mint sold, reported, rolled-over (whatever you want to say about the U.S. mints reporting "when I feel like it" transaction system) 3.2 million ounces of silver.
Some readers pointed out some sales may have been rolled over from 2010 including Cleburne61.
The U.S. Mint did the same thing this year that they
did last year: they don't wanna make the total year end count good
higher than they have to, so they pushed literally the last 10 days of
December sales into January. That's why we had a 6 million oz January
last year. It was nonsense. They're doing it again, cuz they didn't
want the big ole magic number 40 million popping up.
Either way, even if they rolled over 10 days worth of sales data, the 3.2 million ounces of silver is a staggering number. One day or 11 days of sales, however you look at it, was still greater than the MONTLY totals for March, April, July, October, November, and December.
Yesterday the news was bearish coming out of India.
Latest data from India – the world's heaviest consumer of gold, which has no domestic mine
output – meantime said Monday that imports of gold bullion fell by 56% year-on-year in the
last 3 months of 2011, dropping to 125 tonnes and pulling full-year imports some 8% lower
compared with 2010.
"Imports were very bad in October to December," said Prithviraj Kothari, president of the
Bombay Bullion Association, in an interview yesterday.
"People were even selling gold in November" – typically a strong time to buy gold during the
Hindu festival of Diwali and then the wedding season which follows – because for some, "it
was an investment," says Kothari, rather than the religious and social necessity more
typically associated with India's world-leading demand.
That doesn't appear to be the case in China. While it would be nice to have India on board with the precious metal buying spree, a theological shift in the Chinese desiring to own bullion more than the Indians is bullish on a comparative basis. According to our good friends over at Goldman Sachs, China's equity market capitalization may surpass the US by 2030 which would make China the powerhouse of the world.
Well amid global volatility, investors the world over have been pouring
their money into gold this year. And here in China, demand for the
yellow metal is surging, on the back of rising incomes and inflation
concerns. Figures from the World Gold Council show, China overtook India
in the third quarter as the largest gold jewellery market.
World Gold Council has also predicted a higher return in 2012 due to an increase in central bank buying.
It will be interesting to see silver's performance today and if it can hang on to the gains yesterday. Even SD readers where skeptical of the rally with caution being advised among many readers.


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Hemp Fuel UK @cbdcakes💚
hemp fuel uk It is impossible to avoid the devastating impact fossil fuels are having on our planet, and the world is crying out for renewable fuel sources https://www.cbdcakes.co.uk/hemp-fuel-uk/ Henry Ford’s first Model-T was built to run on hemp gasoline and the car itself was constructed from hemp.Hemp is just one of several crops with the ability to be turned into biofuel, with corn and sugarcane also popular in the industry. The main selling point for biofuel is that it is sustainable and can be regrown and re-used, so long as there is space to grow the crops and facilities to convert it into fuel.
EUROPEAN EXPORT DEALS FOR CANNABIS OIL DRINK
A cannabis oil drink manufacturer which only started trading last year has secured a quartet of new European export contracts.
Birmingham-based Green Monkey produces a range of cannabidiol (CBD) products which it will now export to international markets after signing deals with distributors Food Link in Denmark, Triple A Gourmet in Spain, Jean Philippe Silva in France and Rocwell Water in Ireland.
Green Monkey started trading in November and has already celebrated a milestone by producing its one millionth can.
The Cannabis Trade Association, which has over 700 members across Europe, claims the number of CBD users is doubling every year and financial reports suggest the global market could be worth as much as £22 billion in the next decade.
Green Monkey’s chief executive Serge Davies said expansion into Europe was only the start of the journey for the company in its plans to go global.
“We are naturally delighted to sign these deals which means the Green Monkey brand will grow across the world and we can continue to expand,” he said.
“The demand for CBD is growing exponentially and more and more people are seeing the benefits through research that is coming through.
“We are very much a wellbeing brand and we are looking to expand not only our team but also our range of wellbeing products.”
René Boysen, marketing manager at Food Link, added: “We have had Green Monkey on our radar for a number of months and we are pleased to announce this deal which will mean that our customers in Denmark will be able to purchase the Green Monkey range.
“The demand for wellbeing products in Denmark is increasing and as such we need to make sure that we are always finding new products to satiate this.
“We are looking forward to working with Green Monkey over the coming years.”
The cannabis plant is the gift that keeps on givin’. This magic plant gives us CBD oil, THC, hemp fibers and even fuel! Researchers have made hemp into two types of biofuel: biodiesel and ethanol.
Biodiesel is produced by the pressing of hemp seeds to extract their oils & fats. After the extraction, the product is then put through more steps to make it into a usable hemp biofuel for your car. If you’re curious to learn about the specifics of biodiesel production, the process is thoroughly explained by hemp.com.
The argument for hemp-derived biodiesel comes down to convenience. If processed correctly, biodiesel can be put into any diesel-powered automobiles. It can be stored and transported like diesel, so there isn’t a need to create a new system for transportation. It even replaces the smell of traditional diesel with the smell of hemp.
USING HEMP TO MAKE ETHANOL
Ethanol is traditionally made from wheat-based crops such as corn and barley. It’s traditionally used as an additive to gasoline, which gave way to our “flex-fuel” vehicles of today. Hemp can be made into ethanol by various forms of fermentation. Using hemp as the main source of ethanol, instead of food crops like wheat & corn has clear advantages. Not using food crops as a fuel source allows more efficiency in food production, and hemp can be grown in lower quality conditions unlike corn or wheat. Hemp-derived ethanol also shares the advantages of transportation and usability as biodiesel.
HEMP BIOFUEL OFFERS A MORE SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE
Fuel alternatives like this can seem like a no-brainer to replace our traditional fossil-fuel sources, but there are drawbacks to these alternative techniques.
To set up a large-scale industrial hemp farm, you will experience the same ethical dilemmas that the farming industry faces. Deforestation and pesticide use will increase, and we’ll inevitably replace some of our food-crop land with more hemp-crop land. Farmers can grow hemp biofuel on land that is not fit for other crops. This “marginal land” is essentially land that isn’t tilled and cleared out for farming. Despite the versatility, hemp produces a much bigger harvest in ideal farming settings. Additionally, marginal land is actually home to important plants, trees, and living creatures that are vital to the ecosystem. Read “Is Hemp The Best Biofuel?” from sensiseeds.comfor a more in-depth look into the argument for hemp biofuel.
Clearly, hemp biofuel alone won’t solve our environmental crisis, but we believe it could be part of a transition to a cleaner way of living.
HOW THE AUTO-INDUSTRY ALREADY USES HEMP
While hemp biofuel may not be a popular ralternative just yet, the automotive industry already uses hemp. Automakers weave hemp plastic into a bendable material similar to fiberglass. Almost all European car makers use hemp fibers as interior door panels and trim pieces. And companies like FlexForm technologies operate as a dedicated producer of hemp-fiberglass that they sell to automotive companies to be made into car doors and exterior panels. Cars that feature hemp-based materials include the BMW i8 supercar and the Lotus Evora. The advantages that come with hemp-made materials is that they are lighter, bio-degradable, and comes from a much easier renewable resource. Hemp grows in roughly 3 months while metals take thousands of years to form.
Thanks to continued bipartisan support for hemp legalization paired with a culture that is growing increasingly accepting of the cannabis plant, we’re witnessing the beginning of hemp revolution. While hemp biofuel can’t solve the entire energy crisis (we believe the answer to that problem will require multiple solutions), it can provide us with a great renewable fuel source in addition to it’s already useful applications.
While we spent our time here discussing hemp biofuel, let’s not forget the other ways people have been using hemp. There’s hemp beer, hemp blankets, and, this reporter’s personal favorite, hemp food! The future is indeed green.
Hemp for Fuel. One of hemp's most desirable characteristics is that it can be used for the production of fuel - something human life has been predicated on for millennia. ... To that end, two liquid fuels can be made from hemp. The first of these being bioethanol and the other; biodiesel.
Hemp, or industrial hemp (from Old English hænep), typically found in the northern hemisphere, is a strain of the Cannabis sativa plant species that is grown specifically for the industrial uses of its derived products. It is one of the fastest growing plants[ and was one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber 10,000 years ago.It can be refined into a variety of commercial items including paper, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food, and animal feed.
Although cannabis as a drug and industrial hemp both derive from the species Cannabis sativa and contain the psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), they are distinct strains with unique phytochemical compositions and uses. Hemp has lower concentrations of THC and higher concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD), which decreases or eliminates its psychoactive effects. The legality of industrial hemp varies widely between countries. Some governments regulate the concentration of THC and permit only hemp that is bred with an especially low THC content.


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Applied Information Group has completed its branding and wayfinding brief for Vancouver’s transport system Trans Link. The signs, maps and network diagrams are being rolled out across the bus and train network, in time for the Winter Olympics, which the city is hosting this year. Trans Link is expecting user capacity to double across Greater Vancouver during the event, and AIG says it has attempted to reflect local culture in its branding and designs.
Design studio SomeOne has given Parliament a rebrand to make it easier to access and use online, distinguishing it from the Houses of Parliament so it is centred around the
The fashion brand’s latest opening includes high tech features such as LED windows and touchscreen tables.
Developer Zach Lieberman and artist Molmol Kuo have launched an app that lets users create typography and graphics in their surroundings by using augmented reality technology.
The organisation, which gives the public access to hundreds of privately-owned houses and gardens across the UK, is looking to raise awareness, boost memberships and reveal itself as the UK’s


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Tuesday, 4 Oct 2011
It is rumored that AMD's Llano APUs will be in short supply due to poor yield rates of Globalfoundries' 32nm process. It is also estimated that this will persist till early 2012.
Inspired by the classic travel clock, it comes in a leather-wrapped clamshell case, about the size of an eyeglass case, that flips open to deliver rich and detailed sound. Closed, it's a stylish accessory small enough to slip into any briefcase.
A recent vulnerability that exposes user data to apps that are granted certain permissions on Android devices such as the HTC Thunderbolt and Evo 3D will be patched in an upcoming firmware update.
Transcend introduces two new high-capacity portable hard drives: the SuperSpeed USB 3.0-powered StoreJet 25H3P and the standard USB 2.0-powered StoreJet 25H2P.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Sony Ericsson CEO Bert Nordberg mentioned that he wouldn't feel comfortable investing in Microsoft's Windows Phone platform, as compared to its successful Android portfolio.
With a breakthrough fee of just US$395 per application, Single Edition offers an affordable and flexible end-to-end workflow for designers to publish a single-issue application for sale or distribution through the Apple App Store.
Napster is sold by Best Buy to Rhapsody who will eventually phase out the brand and name. It seems that one of the pioneers of the digital music upheaval we have seen in the last two decades or so finally bites the dust.
Adobe announces that LG and TiVo have become the latest partners to bring Adobe Flash-based applications via Adobe AIR to connected TVs and digital home devices.
Specs for the Nikon D800 has been leaked, and according to Nikon Rumors, the DSLR will be equipped with a 36-megapixel sensor.
Adobe today announced Adobe Touch Apps, a family of six, intuitive touch screen applications, designed for Android tablets and Apple iPad that enable anyone to explore ideas and present their creativity anytime, anywhere.


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Security firm White Ops says it has discovered an ad fraud scheme raking in up to $3 million per day, making it the largest such operation ever. Called Methbot, because of drug references in the code, it tricks ad networks into playing videos on fake websites, which are in turn "watched" by bots that simulate real users. The networks then pay the scammers, reportedly located in Russia, effectively flushing advertisers’ and publishers’ money down the toilet.
The operation is unprecedented in its complexity, the security firm says, and may have cost the hackers as much as several hundred thousand dollars per day. To start with, the scammers registered over 6,000 fake domains that spoofed legitimate sites like ESPN and Fox News, then generated over a quarter million fake URLs that could only do one thing: host video ads.
Played on the right, high-profile sites, a video ad can garner $13 per 1,000 views on average, according to White Ops. The hacking crew (dubbed Ad Fraud Komanda or AFK13) was able to trick the ad service algorithms into playing the video ads on its faked domains, rather than the real sites. (White Ops declined to mention which digital ad companies were affected.)
The massive fraud operation represents a significant threat to the integrity of the ecosystem.
That was part one of the trick, but it doesn’t amount to anything unless someone clicks on the video. That’s where the bot network comes in — AFK13 hired data center space and aimed traffic from more than 570,000 bots at its faked sites. It also studied ad networks’ quality verification processes, put in place to defeat ad-impression fraud schemes.
With that data in hand, it illegally obtained IP addresses from at least two regional Internet registries, showing the bot traffic as coming from Verizon, Comcast and other US-based ISPs. The seemingly American bots then duplicated the actions of real users via fake mouse clicks and movements, along with social network logins and other tricks.
Working with media intelligence firm AD/FIN, White Ops figures that AFK13 racked up 300 million impressions, valued at up to $3.9 million, per day. That would make it the largest ad fraud scheme ever, easily besting the ZeroAccess botnet. It’s not clear how the fraudsters obtained payments (presumably, the ad networks need banking and contact information to send the money) but we’ve reached out to White Ops for more information.
The security firm has partnered with the Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) to spread the word about the scam, and provided a list of known Methbot IP addresses and fake URLs and domains. TAG told Marketing Land that it "the massive fraud operation represents a significant threat to the integrity of the ecosystem," adding that it has alerted 130 compliance officers at the largest digital ad companies.
Source: White Ops
from Engadget http://ift.tt/2ifyIDx


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Throggs Neck may soon become the next Bronx nabe to be home to a business improvement district.
The Throggs Neck Merchants Association met recently with the City Department of Small Business Services and Bronx Chamber of Commerce to discuss the first steps to form a BID along the E. Tremont Avenue corridor, roughly Miles Avenue to Bruckner Expressway, with an indoor shopping mall at Bay Plaza and shopping center with a Target on Brush Avenue to open in two years.
“We are putting together a database of landlords to get them involved, and that is essential,” said TNMA president Steven Kaufman, adding that officials from the Small Business Administration “are excited and are going to be assisting us.”
The BID will also be getting help from the Chamber’s merchant association and BID program run by Joe Regina, who was instrumental in forming the Westchester Square BID.
“We absolutely want to accomplish this,” said Chamber CEO Lenny Caro. The formation of a Throggs Neck BID is “doable” since the TNMA is basically talking about making a single street, E. Tremont Avenue, part of the effort, said Kaufman. The merchants and landlords areas where BIDs are generally benefit from having a BID, said Kaufman.
“We are seeing a resurgance in Westchester Square and we want to have one,” said Kaufman. “We are going to be surronded by two major malls: one in Co-op City and one on Brush Avenue. We need to do something to soldify our commerical strength.”
Target will definitely soon be a part of the Throggs Neck area community on Brush Avenue in Ferry Point, but local merchants should be able to do well because they provide personal service that largest retailers do not provide, said Community Board 10 chairman John Marano.
“We still have time to plan ahead, so local business should be looking into their strategies about what they are going to be selling and being more creative to keep their customers coming to the local stores,” said Marano.
Forming a BID takes two to three years, said Regina, with planning and legislative phases, then final authorization from the City Council.
Patrick Rocchio can be reach via e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.org or by phone at (718) 742-3393